Michael Finewax

The Week Ahead

Hockey Day in Canada

The Oilers are on the road for all three games this week. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) has been out a month but began contact drills on Wednesday so he now has to be considered day-to-day. Cam Barker is also starting contact drills as he has been out of the lineup since November 10 with an ankle injury. Taylor Hall continues to score as he now has 34 points in 40 games. Andy Sutton’s future in Edmonton is murky as he should be dealt by the trade deadline. After a great 7-0-2 start to the season, Nikolai Khabibulin has been less than stellar and was 1-7-1 in his last nine heading into the All-Star break. Great move by coach Tom Renney who put Sam Gagner, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle together after the first period on Thursday. The troika responded with 16 points in the last two periods including four goals and four assists from Gagner.

FLORIDA

Games this week

@ Washington, vs. Los Angeles, @ New Jersey. @ New York Islanders

Notes

The Panthers play three games in four nights so look for Scott Clemmensen to split the net with Jose Theodore. Theodore is out with a knee injury but should return for the start of the week. Scottie Upshall is out four-six weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery. Marco Sturm missed 14 games with a concussion before returning after the All-Star break. He has only three points in 34 games with a minus-12 rating so his NHL career could be nearing an end at age 33. Kris Versteeg leads the Panthers with 43 points this season.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

@ Tampa Bay, @ Florida, @ New York Islanders, @ Dallas

Notes

The Kings play all four on the road, including three games in four nights so it looks like Jonathan Bernier will play once in place of Jonathan Quick. They are tired on Sunday in Dallas after playing on Long Island Saturday. Don’t expect to see Simon Gagne back in the Kings lineup this season as he is not close to returning to action with a concussion. There is a huge controversy in Los Angeles following their 3-2 win over Columbus on Wednesday as Drew Doughty scored with .4 seconds left in the game. Unfortunately, it appeared that the clock stopped for about a second with 1.8 seconds to go. Had the clock functioned properly, the goal would have entered the net after the end of the game, forcing overtime and giving the Blue Jackets at least one point. Doughty has four goals and 24 points in 46 games this season with half his goals and points coming with the man-advantage. Jason Williams has a nine game scoring streak in which has 11 points.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

@ Columbus, vs. Vancouver, vs. Columbus

Notes

The Wild play twice against the Blue Jackets this week so look for Brad Staubitz and Cal Clutterbuck to add to their penalty minute totals if there are any fisticuffs. Marek Zidlicky has now been a healthy scratch for five straight games so do not be surprised if he is dealt by the trade deadline as he would agree to waive his no-trade contract. Mikko Koivu (shoulder) has been skating before practice and could start practicing with the team before the start of the week. Guillaume Latendresse (concussion) has started skating and practicing with the Wild but they will take it slow with the forward so there is no timetable for his return.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Pittsburgh, @ New York Islanders, @ Toronto

Notes

Andrei Markov skated before practice this week but the defenseman, who has been out of action with a knee injury since November 13, 2010, is still unsure if he will be able to play at all this season. Ryan White has been out since the second day of training camp with a groin injury and is very close to returning. Scott Gomez has not found the back of the net thus far this season in 20 games. There are rumors that the Canadiens are looking to deal P.K. Subban but we find that hard to believe as he is a very talented blueliner. Erik Cole leads the Habs with 39 points, two ahead of Max Pacioretty and three ahead of David Desharnais.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

vs. Vancouver, @ Ottawa, @ Boston

Notes

The big news with the Predators continues to be whether or not they will be able to re-sign defenseman Ryan Suter before the February 27th trade deadline. If not, do not be surprised if the Predators trade him as they will not get any compensation if he leaves on July 1 and signs elsewhere. GM David Poile said that negotiations are ongoing with Suter and his agent so stay tuned. Pekka Rinne was the NHL’s third star of the month with 11 wins in 12 starts. The Predators are in Ottawa Thursday so Mike Fisher will make his first appearance since being dealt last season.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

@ New York Rangers, vs. St. Louis, vs. Florida

Notes

Adam Henrique is still out with a groin injury but the Devils have been fortunate as Dainius Zubrus has played well at center in his stead playing with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. Parise stated that he and New Jersey have not been talking contract. Parise is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Expect to see a lot more of Martin Brodeur in goal down the stretch. Andy Greene finally returned from foot problems, an injury that kept him out of the lineup since December 6. Adam Larsson had an MRI on his injured wrist during the All-Star break but apparently he is fine.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, vs. Montreal, vs. Los Angeles, vs. Florida

Notes

The Islanders play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Al Montoya to play at least once in place of Evgeni Nabokov. Kevin Poulin started in goal the first game after the All-Star game and after a 5-2 win over Carolina, was sent to the minors. John Tavares was the NHL’s first star for the month of January and has picked up nine goals and 22 points in his past 13 games to give him 53 points this season, good for fourth in the NHL. Matt Moulson leads the Islanders in goals with 23, one ahead of Tavares, while P.A. Parenteau is tops in assists with 34.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

vs. New Jersey, vs. Tampa Bay, @ Philadelphia, vs. Washington

Notes

The Rangers play three games in four nights as part of their four game week, so it is expected that Martin Biron will play once in place of the NHL’s best goalie this season, Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers are tired on Sunday when they play a rested Washington squad after playing in Philadelphia Saturday. Wojtek Wolski and Jeff Woywitka have been sent to the minors on a two week conditioning stint. Wolski has been a major disappointment this season with only three assists in nine games while being a healthy scratch for the Rangers for the past six games. Steve Eminger is getting closer to a return as he has been out of action with a separated shoulder since December 17.

OTTAWA

Games this week

vs. St. Louis, vs. Nashville, vs. Edmonton

Notes

The Senators play all three games at home this week. Brian Lee has missed seven games with a lower body injury but should return this week, if not earlier. Erik Condra has been moved up to the top line in practice with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek and that will definitely help his fantasy value should he stay there. Zenon Konopka leads the NHL in majors with 17 and penalty minutes with 159, so he is valuable in pools that use the category. Craig Anderson has lost his last four outings so Alexander Auld could get some action since he hasn’t started since December 30. Peter Regin is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

It’s Hockey Day in Canada on Saturday and all seven teams are in action with the NHL moving Friday's Winnipeg-Pittsburgh game to Saturday from the original schedule to give hockey coverage north of the border from 2pm ET until well after midnight.

An amazing performance by Sam Gagner on Thursday as he became the first NHL player since 1988 to record eight points in one game, and the third Oiler to do so as he joined Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey. Gagner has been rumored to be on the trade block but the Oilers would be foolish to give up so quickly on the 22-year-old.

The Ducks play four times this week but not three in four nights. Jonas Hiller could play in all four games although Jeff Deslauriers could see action in one game. They are rested on Sunday when they face a tired Columbus team as the Blue Jackets are in Minnesota Saturday. Jason Blake is out with a foot injury and the Ducks recalled Kyle Palmieri to take his place. Palmieri needs just one break to stay in the NHL as he has played too well to remain in the AHL. Jonas Hiller gave up six goals on Wednesday, the first time in 11 games that he has given up more than two in a game. Trade rumors are swirling around the Ducks as Corey Perry’s name has been mentioned with Vancouver as a possible final destination.

BOSTON

Games this week

@ Buffalo, vs. Nashville

Notes

Nathan Horton has not yet begun to skate after suffering a concussion on January 22 but coach Claude Julien is hopeful that the winger will start exercising soon. Tyler Seguin leads the NHL in plus-minus at plus-32 but was minus-two as he celebrated his 20th birthday on January 31. GM Peter Chiarelli said that he will not trade Tim Thomas, who is under tremendous media scrutiny for snubbing the White House a couple of weeks ago, this season. Andrew Ference is back in the lineup after serving a three game suspension. Zdeno Chara broke his own record for the hardest shot at the All-Stars skill competition when he fired a shot that went 108.8 MPH.

BUFFALO

Games this week

vs. Boston, vs. Dallas, vs. Tampa Bay

Notes

Buffalo plays three games in four nights so look for Jhonas Enroth to play once in place of Ryan Miller. The Sabres will be rested on Friday when they take on a tired Stars squad who play in Columbus on Thursday. They are tired on Saturday when they face a rested Tampa Bay team. Thomas Vanek suffered an upper body injury on Tuesday (thought to be his shoulder) and should be out a week. Tyler Ennis returned to the Buffalo lineup on Thursday after missing 17 games with an ankle injury and started at center between Drew Stafford and Nathan Gerbe. Ryan Miller has given up only two goals in his last three games and hopefully is turning his game around.

CALGARY

Games this week

@ Anaheim, @ San Jose, @ Phoenix, vs. Vancouver

Notes

Calgary plays four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Henrik Karlsson to play once in place of Miikka Kiprusoff. They will be tired on Thursday when they face a rested Coyotes squad as they are in San Jose the previous night. Karlsson returned to the lineup this past week after missing almost two months with a torn MCL in his knee. Leland Irving was returned to the minors. Michael Cammalleri has two goals in his first five games with the Flames. Krystofer Kolanos has inked a two-way contract with the Calgary Flames and should see action as a top six forward as he had 40 points in 34 AHL games and the Flames are in desperate need of some offense.

CAROLINA

Games this week

@ Anaheim, @ Colorado

Notes

The Hurricanes only play twice this week so I suggest benching all your Hurricanes in weekly transaction pools with the possible exception of Cam Ward who has been hot of late. Ward has made 10 straight starts and gave up three goals in Tuesday’s contest against the Islanders, the first time he has given up more than two goals in 10 games. Tim Gleason was believed to be on the trading block but when the ‘Canes signed him to a four-year/$16 million extension this past week, defenseman Bryan Allen became the talk of trade rumors, with the Flyers showing interest. UFA-to-be, Tuomo Ruutu’s name is also being heard in the rumor mill with Nashville, Toronto, Chicago, Pittsurgh and Boston possible destinations.

CHICAGO

Games this week

@ Colorado, @ San Jose, @ Phoenix

Notes

The Blackhawks are in the middle of a nine game road trip. The Blackhawks will be tired on Saturday against the rested Coyotes as they are in San Jose Friday. It has been a bit of a surprise but rookie Andrew Shaw has led all Blackhawk forwards in ice time over the last two games heading into action on Thursday. Patrick Sharp returned to the Chicago lineup on Tuesday but could still be feeling the effects of his wrist injury. Brendan Morrison played for the first time in a Blackhawk uniform after being dealt from the Flames during the All-Star break, seeing action on the second line with Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. He played 18:56 minutes on Tuesday and if he continues to see time on the second line, he will have fantasy value.

COLORADO

Games this week

vs. Chicago, vs. Carolina, @ St. Louis

Notes

The Avalanche will be tired on Friday when they take on the St. Louis Blues after playing the Hurricanes the previous night. Matt Duchene who has been out since December 29 with a knee injury, still has not resumed skating. Peter Mueller has five points in his last six games and is averaging over three shots on goal per game. Gabriel Landeskog, the second overall pick in the 2011 Entry Draft said that his move from Sweden to Canada as a 16-year-old, was pivotal in his progression as a hockey player as he was just an average player and a role player in his home country.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

vs. Minnesota, vs. Dallas, @ Minnesota, vs. Anaheim

Notes

The Blue Jackets play four times this week including three games in four nights so Steve Mason could get a start in goal for Columbus instead of Curtis Sanford who seems to have taken over as the starting netminder yet again. The Blue Jackets will be tired on Sunday when they are home to a rested Anaheim team after playing in Minnesota the previous day. Columbus takes on the Wild in two games this week so look for Derek Dorsett and Jared Boll to add to their penalty minute totals. Vaclav Prospal broke a nine game pointless streak with an assist on Wednesday. He has been dropped to the third line and will likely be dealt by the deadline. Jeff Carter (separated shoulder) is travelling with the team and is expected to return on February 3.

DALLAS

Games this week

vs. Phoenix, @ Columbus, @ Buffalo, vs. Los Angeles

Notes

The Stars play three games in four nights so Richard Bachman should play once in place of Kari Lehtonen. They are tired Friday when they play in Buffalo as the Stars are in Columbus on Thursday, but are the rested team twice this week, Tuesday in Phoenix as the Coyotes are playing Detroit Monday, and against the Kings Sunday who play in Long Island Saturday. Brenden Morrow was activated off the injured reserve list on Wednesday. He could be dealt by the trade deadline as his name is surfacing in rumors. Michael Ryder leads the Stars in goals with 18 while Jamie Benn is tops in points at 46. Loui Eriksson is second in both categories with 17 and 44 respectively.

DETROIT

Games this week

@ Phoenix, vs. Edmonton, vs. Anaheim, vs. Philadelphia

Notes

The Red Wings play four times this week but the games are spaced out every other day. They play only three games in four nights once more this season as Rotoworld’s Gus Katsaros wrote and charted in his latest column, “View from the Corners”. Detroit will be rested and waiting for the Flyers Sunday as Philadelphia takes on the Rangers at home on Saturday. Henrik Zetterberg has only one goal in his last 21 games and only nine this season. Jimmy Howard leads the NHL in wins with 32 but will miss at least the Phoenix game with a broken finger. Power play specialist Tomas Holmstrom had a bad reaction to Synvisc after it was injected into both of his knees and missed Tuesday’s game. Mike Commodore and Jakub Kindl are battling for the sixth and final spot on the blueline and one or the other is usually a healthy scratch if there are no other injuries. Patrick Eaves suffered a concussion as well as a broken jaw in November and is out indefinitely.

EDMONTON

Games this week

@ Toronto, @ Detroit, @ Ottawa

Notes

The Oilers are on the road for all three games this week. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder) has been out a month but began contact drills on Wednesday so he now has to be considered day-to-day. Cam Barker is also starting contact drills as he has been out of the lineup since November 10 with an ankle injury. Taylor Hall continues to score as he now has 34 points in 40 games. Andy Sutton’s future in Edmonton is murky as he should be dealt by the trade deadline. After a great 7-0-2 start to the season, Nikolai Khabibulin has been less than stellar and was 1-7-1 in his last nine heading into the All-Star break. Great move by coach Tom Renney who put Sam Gagner, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle together after the first period on Thursday. The troika responded with 16 points in the last two periods including four goals and four assists from Gagner.

FLORIDA

Games this week

@ Washington, vs. Los Angeles, @ New Jersey. @ New York Islanders

Notes

The Panthers play three games in four nights so look for Scott Clemmensen to split the net with Jose Theodore. Theodore is out with a knee injury but should return for the start of the week. Scottie Upshall is out four-six weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery. Marco Sturm missed 14 games with a concussion before returning after the All-Star break. He has only three points in 34 games with a minus-12 rating so his NHL career could be nearing an end at age 33. Kris Versteeg leads the Panthers with 43 points this season.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

@ Tampa Bay, @ Florida, @ New York Islanders, @ Dallas

Notes

The Kings play all four on the road, including three games in four nights so it looks like Jonathan Bernier will play once in place of Jonathan Quick. They are tired on Sunday in Dallas after playing on Long Island Saturday. Don’t expect to see Simon Gagne back in the Kings lineup this season as he is not close to returning to action with a concussion. There is a huge controversy in Los Angeles following their 3-2 win over Columbus on Wednesday as Drew Doughty scored with .4 seconds left in the game. Unfortunately, it appeared that the clock stopped for about a second with 1.8 seconds to go. Had the clock functioned properly, the goal would have entered the net after the end of the game, forcing overtime and giving the Blue Jackets at least one point. Doughty has four goals and 24 points in 46 games this season with half his goals and points coming with the man-advantage. Jason Williams has a nine game scoring streak in which has 11 points.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

@ Columbus, vs. Vancouver, vs. Columbus

Notes

The Wild play twice against the Blue Jackets this week so look for Brad Staubitz and Cal Clutterbuck to add to their penalty minute totals if there are any fisticuffs. Marek Zidlicky has now been a healthy scratch for five straight games so do not be surprised if he is dealt by the trade deadline as he would agree to waive his no-trade contract. Mikko Koivu (shoulder) has been skating before practice and could start practicing with the team before the start of the week. Guillaume Latendresse (concussion) has started skating and practicing with the Wild but they will take it slow with the forward so there is no timetable for his return.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Pittsburgh, @ New York Islanders, @ Toronto

Notes

Andrei Markov skated before practice this week but the defenseman, who has been out of action with a knee injury since November 13, 2010, is still unsure if he will be able to play at all this season. Ryan White has been out since the second day of training camp with a groin injury and is very close to returning. Scott Gomez has not found the back of the net thus far this season in 20 games. There are rumors that the Canadiens are looking to deal P.K. Subban but we find that hard to believe as he is a very talented blueliner. Erik Cole leads the Habs with 39 points, two ahead of Max Pacioretty and three ahead of David Desharnais.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

vs. Vancouver, @ Ottawa, @ Boston

Notes

The big news with the Predators continues to be whether or not they will be able to re-sign defenseman Ryan Suter before the February 27th trade deadline. If not, do not be surprised if the Predators trade him as they will not get any compensation if he leaves on July 1 and signs elsewhere. GM David Poile said that negotiations are ongoing with Suter and his agent so stay tuned. Pekka Rinne was the NHL’s third star of the month with 11 wins in 12 starts. The Predators are in Ottawa Thursday so Mike Fisher will make his first appearance since being dealt last season.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

@ New York Rangers, vs. St. Louis, vs. Florida

Notes

Adam Henrique is still out with a groin injury but the Devils have been fortunate as Dainius Zubrus has played well at center in his stead playing with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. Parise stated that he and New Jersey have not been talking contract. Parise is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Expect to see a lot more of Martin Brodeur in goal down the stretch. Andy Greene finally returned from foot problems, an injury that kept him out of the lineup since December 6. Adam Larsson had an MRI on his injured wrist during the All-Star break but apparently he is fine.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, vs. Montreal, vs. Los Angeles, vs. Florida

Notes

The Islanders play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Al Montoya to play at least once in place of Evgeni Nabokov. Kevin Poulin started in goal the first game after the All-Star game and after a 5-2 win over Carolina, was sent to the minors. John Tavares was the NHL’s first star for the month of January and has picked up nine goals and 22 points in his past 13 games to give him 53 points this season, good for fourth in the NHL. Matt Moulson leads the Islanders in goals with 23, one ahead of Tavares, while P.A. Parenteau is tops in assists with 34.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

vs. New Jersey, vs. Tampa Bay, @ Philadelphia, vs. Washington

Notes

The Rangers play three games in four nights as part of their four game week, so it is expected that Martin Biron will play once in place of the NHL’s best goalie this season, Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers are tired on Sunday when they play a rested Washington squad after playing in Philadelphia Saturday. Wojtek Wolski and Jeff Woywitka have been sent to the minors on a two week conditioning stint. Wolski has been a major disappointment this season with only three assists in nine games while being a healthy scratch for the Rangers for the past six games. Steve Eminger is getting closer to a return as he has been out of action with a separated shoulder since December 17.

OTTAWA

Games this week

vs. St. Louis, vs. Nashville, vs. Edmonton

Notes

The Senators play all three games at home this week. Brian Lee has missed seven games with a lower body injury but should return this week, if not earlier. Erik Condra has been moved up to the top line in practice with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek and that will definitely help his fantasy value should he stay there. Zenon Konopka leads the NHL in majors with 17 and penalty minutes with 159, so he is valuable in pools that use the category. Craig Anderson has lost his last four outings so Alexander Auld could get some action since he hasn’t started since December 30. Peter Regin is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

PHILADELPHIA

Games this week

vs. New York Islanders, vs. Toronto, vs. New York Rangers, @ Detroit

Notes

The Flyers play four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky to share the net. The Flyers are slated to give Bryzgalov the next month to sort himself out so he should see a lot more starts than Bobrovsky. The Flyers will be tired on Sunday when facing the rested Red Wings in Detroit after playing the Rangers on Saturday. James van Riemsdyk skated for the first time on Thursday since suffering a concussion on January 12. The Flyers have been outstanding on the road with an 18-7-2 record but are only 11-7-4 at home. Zac Rinaldo returned to action on Thursday after missing the last three games with a strained neck. He is second in the NHL with 124 penalty minutes.

PHOENIX

Games this week

vs. Detroit, @ Dallas, vs. Calgary, vs. Chicago

Notes

The Coyotes play four games this week including three in four nights so look for Jason LaBarbera to play once in place of Mike Smith. They are the tired team on Tuesday when facing the Stars after playing at home to Detroit on Monday, but finish the week as the rested team twice, playing Calgary on Thursday after the Flames are in San Jose Wednesday, while the Blackhawks are tired Saturday after also playing in San Jose but on Friday. Martin Hanzal picked up his first point since returning from an injury on January 19 as he was out over a month with an upper body injury. The big news in Phoenix continues to be who will buy the franchise, the same story as the last three years. Commissioner Gary Bettman said that there are three groups still interested and we can only hope that one finally comes to the forefront and actually buys the team and keeps it in Glendale.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

@ Montreal, vs. Winnipeg, vs. Tampa Bay

Notes

Evgeni Malkin was the NHL’s second star in January, scoring 12 times and adding four assists in 12 games. The Penguins claimed Cal O'Reilly off waivers from the Coyotes. Look for him to see minutes as a bottom six forward. The big news with the Penguins as per usual concerns Sidney Crosby. The Kid has been diagnosed with a soft tissue injury in his neck and that may have given him similar symptoms to a concussion. He is now skating before practice.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

@ Ottawa, @ New Jersey, vs. Colorado, vs. San Jose

Notes

The Blues play four games this week and the all-important three games in four nights so look for Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott to share the net. The Blues are rested on Saturday when facing the Avalanche who play at home to Carolina on Friday, but the Blues will be tired on Sunday when facing the rested Sharks. Andy McDonald is close to returning to action from a concussion he suffered on October 13. His return will help the St. Louis offense as he will be a top-six forward and he should also help the Blues anemic power play which is 28th in the NHL this season. The news is not as good for Alexander Steen who has missed the last 15 games with a concussion and has no idea when he will return. The Blues will play only 13 home games the rest of the way where they have been outstanding with a 21-3-4 record. The Blues are putting all their eggs in one basket as far as the power play is concerned as Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk will be on the point with David Backes, T.J. Oshie and David Perron up front.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

vs. Calgary, vs. Chicago, @ St. Louis

Notes

The Sharks are rested Sunday when they travel to face a tired St. Louis team, who are home to Colorado on Saturday. Ryane Clowe returned to action on Thursday after missing six games with a facial injury. Antti Niemi is sidelined with an undisclosed injury and the Sharks recalled Tyson Sexsmith to back up Thomas Greiss in his absence. Niemi is expected to return February 4. The Sharks normally would have recalled Antero Niittymaki but the netminder already passed through waivers and the Sharks would have had to put him through re-entry waivers to recall him and risk losing him to another NHL while having half his salary count under their cap. Martin Havlat continues to improve after surgery to repair a partially torn tendon in his hamstring. He was scheduled to miss six-eight weeks when he was injured on December 17, but it looks like it will be longer than that as he is still not skating.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

vs. Los Angeles, @ New York Rangers, @ Buffalo, @ Pittsburgh

Notes

The Lightning end a five game home stand and head out on the road for three this week. They play three games in four nights so look for Dwayne Roloson to play at least once in place of Mathieu Garon. The Lightning will be rested on Saturday when in Buffalo as the Sabres are home to Dallas the previous night. Marc-Andre Bergeron has been out of the Tampa Bay lineup since January with an upper body injury and is not ready to return. The Lightning have been not using Brett Connolly very much since his return from the World Junior Championship as he has played over 10 minutes only once in January.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Edmonton, @ Winnipeg, @ Philadelphia, vs. Montreal

Notes

The Maple Leafs play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson to play, although the Maple Leafs will likely go with the hotter goalie for the majority of the games. They are the tired team on Tuesday in Winnipeg after playing the Oilers at the ACC Monday. Good news for the Maple Leafs on Wednesday as they welcomed back John-Michael Liles after missing 16 games with a neck injury and Colby Armstrong who had been out since December 17 with a concussion. They sent Keith Aulie and Nazem Kadri to the minors to make room for the veterans. Phil Kessel has only one goal while linemate Joffrey Lupul has only one assist in the past five games.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

@ Nashville, @ Minnesota, @ Calgary

Notes

The Canucks are on the road for all three this week. Cody Hodgson was named the NHL’s rookie for the month of January as he scored six times and added four assists in 11 games. Despite infrequent starts, Cory Schneider has won four in a row for Vancouver. Daniel Sedin became the all-time Vancouver leader in overtime goals with his winner on Tuesday. Dale Wiese leads the Canucks with 74 penalty minutes. Christopher Higgins sat out with the flu on Thursday forcing Mason Raymond to move from the third to second line, while Manny Malhotra went from the fourth unit and replaced Raymond on the third line.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. Florida, vs. Winnipeg, @ New York Rangers

Notes

The Capitals are rested on Sunday when they face the Rangers who play in Philadelphia Saturday. Alex Ovechkin has finished serving his three game suspension so put him back in your lineup as fast as you can. Mike Green has been practicing with the Capitals all week and his return from a groin injury and subsequent sports hernia surgery may be imminent. The Capitals signed enforcer Joel Rechlicz to a contract this past week so if you are in need of penalty minutes, he could be the player you are looking for. He had 184 penalty minutes in 27 games for Hershey of the AHL this season.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

vs. Toronto, @ Washington, @ Pittsburgh

Notes

The Jets are rested on Tuesday when they return home to face Toronto who play at home to Edmonton Monday. Dustin Byfuglien returned to action after missing 16 games with a knee injury. Alexander Burmistrov returned to action as well on Thursday after missing two games with a concussion. Evander Kane has a concussion and is not close to returning. Kane continues to lead the Jets with 18 goals while Blake Wheeler leads with 35 points.